Climate security is a strategic priority for the British Council, and central to this is the International Climate Champion (ICC) programme. With in-country partners, we have initially set up ICC programmes in each of the G8+5 countries with a view to expanding into all the countries where our offices present.

Climate change affects everyone but it is young people who will inherit the impacts of climate change for many decades to come. The ICC initiative involves young people as they are highly effective agents of change, be it in their schools, homes, or communities. They are a persuasive global generation, can network very effectively, and are skilled at engaging the media and key decision-makers.

The programme aims to change the level of understanding and awareness of the challenge of climate change among young people. It hopes to do this by engaging people through activities and websites, creating a long term global network of Champions who have multi-lateral relationships, and influencing international agreements on climate change.

In Indonesia, we started the programme in December 2007. The numbers of champions joining us since then are growing rapidly and the impact of their works are enormous, not only at the national level, what make us really proud is the facts that our champions are involved actively in some international events. Up to now, we have engaged with 28 local young leaders with fantastic projects.

To maintain and extend the network of these young leaders, we set up an AYLCF Climate Cool website. The website is designed for young people aged 18-35 who wish to join a group of similar minded individuals keen to make a difference in climate security issue and those who would like to support them.

If you are in the same vision toward a low carbon world, please join our community. Join the discussions, get the latest climate change news, find out who is doing what in the region, and chat to other members.